The Hopkins County Echo (Sulphur Springs, Tex.), Vol. 104, No. 5, Ed. 1 Friday, February 2, 1979 Page: 1 of 6
This newspaper is part of the collection entitled: Hopkins County Area Newspapers and was provided to The Portal to Texas History by the Hopkins County Genealogical Society.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
<
MICROFILM CENTER INC.
P.O. BOX 45435
DALLAS, dL 75235
COMP.
Wfie Hopkins Couttfg Sdjjr
tahsoriud nrt ca/h ii t iKt hi aiion »y i»uk< hasi maV 12.
VOl. 104—NO. 5.
SULPHUR SPRINGS, TEXAS. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2 1979.
6 PACKS , 10 CKNTS IMIHLISIIKI) KVKILY HtIDAY
/
County ag income hits
record; drought nips net
By F.W, FRAILEY
News-Telegram Stall
Estimated agricultural income in
Hopkins County soared to a record
$103,569,364 last fear despite reversals
caused by severe summer and early fall
drought. -
The figure 'represents a gain of
$12,066,344, or 13.1 percent, over the
previous year’s estimated farm revenue of
$91,504,020.
Inflation and drought losses drove up
production costs, however, making it
difficult or impossible for most farmers to
maintain net profit levels.
The revenue gain was attributed to
higher milk prices, an increase in beef
cattle sales and stronger markets in this
area.
Milk sales, consistently by far the
largest source of farm earnings in the
county, were placed at $54 million, a
decrease of $759,000 from the 1977 figure,
as the drought cut into production to offset
the price rise.
Cattle sales rose to an estimated
$37*634,500 for a gain of $16,128,700.
Income from all- livestock sources was
placed at $91,659,500, an increase of
$15,384,700 over the 1977 total.
Dry weather was largely rsponsible for
a drop of $3,673,190 in the estimated value
of crops produced in the county last year.
The value of crop production was placed
at $11,404,030, as compared to $15,077,220
in 1977. V.
The big decrease took place in hay and
other feed, seed and forage crops, wherp
i,
estimated production values dropped from
$13,1^0,000 in 1977' to $7,548,000 last year.
The hay crop loss was estimated at 50
percent.
Making its first appearance in the 1978
report was an estimate for timber
production in the county. It was placed at
a flat $1 million. j L
The value of .government farm
payments in 1978 was set at $505,834, as
compared to $151,000 in 1977.
The annual income estimates are
published for the first time this yeai in a
new booklet entitled ‘‘Results of
Agriculture Demonstrations”,.
Prepared by the Extension Service, the
booklet is devoted largely to the results of
demonstration programs conducted in key
agricultural areas. -
Cooper Lake still
alive - just ailing
By JIM MOORE
t News-Telegram Stall
The Cooper Reservoir and Channels
project is not dead although it was not
included in the 1980 federal budget.
Bill Maloz, project manager for the
proposed lake, says- “I’m confident that
the Take will get built.” He is estimating
the project to be completed in 1985.
' Congressman Sam B. Hall Jr. of Mar-
shall is attempting to have funding
provided, even though President Carter
did not include the project in his recently-
released budget. Ken Black - of
Congressman Hall's office in Washington
told The News-Telegram, “Mr. Hall's
City improvements
set on wide front
A broad-based program of public im-
provements will be carried out by the city
this year, City Manager Lee Vickers told
the Rotary Club Thursday.
Water production capacity will be.in-
creased 50 per cent to 6 million gallons
daily through addition q( new pumps, a
new clarifier and a floculalor at the water
treatment plant. Vickers said.
Fast run
ends on
flat note
An alleged theft of gasoline, a flat tire
and an alert Sulphur Springs police officer
resulted in the arrest of a 24-year-old
Michigan man Monday afternoon.
At 1:58 p.m., local officers received a
report of the theft of $8 in gasoline from a
convenience store. The caller reported
that one of the employees had followed the
suspect vehicle, attempted to stop it and
then lost contact with the dark blue car.
At 2:45 p.m. Officer Helen Boles spotted
the vehicle, whjqh had a flat tire, and
stopped it in the 800. block of Main Street.
She called for a backup unit as the suspect
was reportedly armed. However, before
the unit arrived, she had arrested the man
and placed him in handcuffs.
Robert A Meeks, 24, of Ypsilanti, Mich,
was arrested on a charge of theft of ser-
vice from the local store. By checking the
individual and his car against the National
'Crime Information Center computer, it
was found that the car had been reported
stolen in California.
Mrs. Boles was assisted in the arrest by
officers Ernest Whalen and Mike Johnson.
When the incident first started, Hopkins
County Deputies Travis Long and Ronnie
Plaxco had searched the southern part of
the county and Rains County Sheriff Mike
Carter’s officers were called to watch for
the suspect who was last seen headed
south on SH*19.
One officer said that the suspect was
asked why he had come back to Sulphur
Springs. The answer was, ‘‘I had a flat."
' Aikin salute
planned here
Plans are being formulated for a
luncheon on Tuesdsay, April 10 in
Sulphur Springs to honor Senator and
Mrs. A.M. Aikin Jr. of Paris.
More than a hundred retired
teachers and guests will assemble at
11:30 a.m. on April 10 at First Baptist
Church to pay tribute to the retired
public official and his wife.
A clearwell holding an additional 1.5
million gallons of treated water probably
will be built in the south end of the city due
to subsoil problems encountered at the
plant, he added.
Addition of third stage treatment
facilities is planned at the wastewater
disposal plant to improve the quality of the
water discharged and to eliminate odors.
As additions in the solid waste disposal
field, Vickers listed a new packer truck, 20
more commercial trash containers, a new
front-end loader for the landfill, a new
engineering plan for the area and re-
building of four trash hauling trailers.
Expansion of the municipal airport
should be completed with construction of a
5,000-foot main runway, repair of a cross
runway, addition of a parking apron, a
new radio beacon,'a jet fuel'supply and
improved runway lighting.
The city manager said he expects to be
back in the street repair business this year
after a long period devoted largely to the
construction of Gladys Alexander Drive
and the parking lots at the high school and
civic center.
Oil-dir.t streets will be re-worked,
several paved streets will be re-sealed and
improved storm draining installed in
several areas, he added.
Vickers said the city expects to work
with the highway department this spring
and summer in the widening of State High-
way 11 from the Connally Street in-
tersection north and west to the State 19
bypass.
Pavement of Gladys Alexander Drive
will-be completed as soon as dry weather
arrives. A bridge providing access to the
high school from City P^rk is nearing
completion.
Vickers said the police department is
installing a photo darkroom, hopes to
organize and train an area bomb disposal
squad and will have computer service to
make records quickly available.
New engineering offices are being
completed in the city building this week.
Appointment of a citizen’s traffic safety
committee is being proposed to the City
Council. The panel would investigate
traffic hazards and recommend correc-
tions. * ■
Vickers also discussed Sulphur Springs’
competition with other cities for federal
block grant funds for improvement of
public facilities, including some housing
rehabilitation. , " v
He called attention to serious drainage
problems existing here, to the need for
better facilities for senior citizens and to
the shortage of neighborhood recreation
grounds for youngsters.
• He also urged that more citizens become
involved in municipal government and
more concerned with municipal problems.
F.W. Frailey was program chairman for
the meeting.
Gary Moon, honorary student Rotarian
for January, spoke briefly.
II
m
Al!
tff
m
in
w J a A <>a
m
to
!
■M
im
m
ggg
■ Vi
Wi
nr.
HI
Schooling in mind
During registration lor the Community Education classes Mon
day evening Bowie second graders Nancy and Patsy Vaden
worked on twirling instructor Mary Jane Bradberry to help
them persuade their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Vaden, into
letting them enroll in the class a second time. 01 the 40 Com-
munity Education classes offered, 27 have enough students to be
taught.
-St*« Photo
going to keep pushing on the project.”
Hall is presently preparing legislation
that will, be submitted to the sub-
committee chaired by District 4 .Texas
Congressman Ray Roberts requesting
funding for Cooper Lake,
Roberts recently reported that
Presidfnt Carter had proposed over $48
million in the Civil Works Budget request
for water resource development project in
the congressman’s district, or^hose that
would affect his district.
Among those lakes or projects were the
Sabine River Navigation, Red River
Navigation, Red River levees and bank
stabilization, Big Sandy Lake, Lake
Texoma, Dennison Dam, and two Trinity
River projects.
Big Sandy Lake was recently announced
by the Corps of Engineers office in Fort
Worth and when completed will be within
25 miles of Sulphur Springs.
On Dec. 8, 1978 U.S. District Judge
William Wayne Justice released a 31-page
memorandum opinion on the Cooper
project in which he found that the en-
vironmental impact statement prepared
by the Corps of Engineers (New Orleans
District) faled to meet the standards
required and was legally insufficient for
various reasons.
The project was permanently enjoined
from continuing further until such time as \
the Corps of Engineers has filed an EIS )
that corrects the various deficiencies and
comes in compliance with the National
Environmental Policy act of 1969 “to 4he ,
fullest extent possible.” He also ruled that *
the litigation would remain under his
court’s jurisidiction, pending approval of a
new or amended EIS.
Maloz told The News-Telegram that the
Corps of Engineers had not requested
funds in the 1980 budget due to the ruling
on the EIS. He estimates that it will be two
years before the cited deficiencies were
corrected and that the left-over 1978 funds.
will be expended through 1979 and 1980 in
accomplishing that work.
“The biggest problem is the ‘mitigation
report’, that’s the land that is being taken
away from the wildlife,” he said. “There
are no endangered species involved.”
On Judge Justice’s ruling, Maloz said,
“It was a terrible setback, both personally
and professionally.” Maloz said his office
will be corresponding with Judge Justice
for permission to continue good
management practices over land now
owned by the Corps of Engineers. “Some
minor engineering and design work will be
done if Judge Justice approves it,” he
said. ... ^
Although the December court ruling by
Judge Justice put a damper on the
thoughts and plans for the lakyf a
McKinney legal firm is planning an ap-
peal.
Roland Boyd,, whose firm is preparing
the appeal to be sent to the Fifth Circuit
Court of Appeals in New Orleans, said that
the board of the North Texas Municipal
Water District agreed to the#filing of the
appeal.. ......... - „ ■
“We’ll be filing a notice of appeal about
the first of next week (Jan. 29th),” he said.
He explained that in the last case on a
similar'matter, if took about a year to
obtain a ruling from the federal appeal
court. ,
‘Tt’s.hard on the District and the people 1
that are needing water,” Boyd said. “We
ought to be building Cooper Reservoir
right now.”
Black said that Congressman Hall is t
trying to get funding for the project in-
cluded in the new budget and, “We’re
going to go straight' forward and push on
the Cooper Lake project.”
It's never late to learn
v.
Community education signup brisk
Community, Education registration in
Sulphur Springs opened to a flood of damp,
but interested enrollees Monday night.
After the initial influx the crowd
evaporated, leaving only those seated
around the High School cafeteria hoping
for more^participants.
“We flaven’t finished the count yet,”
said DSnna McBrayer, program director,
early Tuesday morning. “We will
probably have around 550 enrolled.”
The ( Sulphur Springs Community
Education program offers 40 courses in a
variety of subjects for the spring
semester. “Twenty-seven of the classes
made and we are hoping more will make
during the week,” said Ms. McBrayer.
“This is the same number pf classes that
mtufe for the fall term."
The Community Education Room in the
Administration Building on Connally
Street will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
throughout the week for those who did not
choose to get out in the bad weather
Monday night. Registration for all but the
guitar class will be accepted during the
week. Guitar is the only class that com-
pletely filled.
Program directors are hoping the In-
troduction to Acting course will fill. It
currently has five enrolled.
“We are attempting to work out a deal
with the Texas Commission on the Arts
and Humanities to teach here and help
work up a little production, but we need
more people,” said Ms. McBrayer.
Under the program plan, members of
the Dallas Theater Center would spend
three days in Sulphur Springs. During that
time they would teach and work up ’two
productions, one for children and one for
adults. *
“The children’s play, will be “Pinoc-
chio” and the one for adults is, “An
Evening of Mime.” The adult production
would be put on in the evening. We must
have enough people interested to be able to
do this.,
“We are hoping this could evolve into a
little theater group here,” said the
program director.
Business machines and shorthand are
courses taught through the Texas
Education Agency. Each course must
have 10 students. Business machines
currently has seven enrolled while
shorthand has only three..
The-welding course must have 10 also,
and currently has nine. Photography
needs 10 and has eight. Tap and Ballet, has
nine enrolled and needs one more student.
Richer Life course instructor, Mrs. S.T.
Garrison, said she has six students
enrolled but would like to have at least
four more, to make the course even better.
“This time health type courses were
filling faster while last semester the
handicraft courses did better. It is in-
teresting to watch the trends. It seems
people are more interested in getting in
shape for spring, while in the fall they
want to learn crafts for Christmas gifts,"
Ms. McBrayer says.
One class Ms. McBrayer termed as
excellent is Gourmet cooking. “I am
really surprised more people haven’t
signed up for this course. I guess they are
so interested in health, they don’t want to
eat."
Community Education courses range in
price form only purchasing needed
materials to $30. The majority meet one
night a week and last from six to IS weeks.
Flu bugs deliver double
punch to city youngsters*"
By JOHN GORE
News Telegram Stall
For the past few days, the skies have
been grey and overcast. It is cold outside
and warm inside, with plenty, of moisture
in the air.' In general, it is the perfect
season for flu, and the microscopic little
“bugs” are making the best of a good —
for them — situation.
,v
Two types of flu virus are presently
making the rounds in Sulphur Springs.
Neither of the two varieties of flu are as
dangerous as some strains that have
swept across the country in the past, but
both are unpleasant — to say the least -*
according to local doctors.
One strain -making the rounds is fairly
normal for. this time of the year, medical
authorities said. This particular strain
lasts from 48 to 72 hours. Symptoms,
doctors say, are diarrhea, cramps, nausea
and higher than normal temperature.
The second strain on the flu circuit is
causing severe headaches, congestion and
coughs, with the most severe symptoms
lasting for about 48 hours.
According to local medical personnel,
^Lhe flu bug is affecting the younger
segment of the population more than the
older generation. ' • ‘
School attendance figures seem to bear
that conclusion out. Absenteeism during
the past week ran about 10 percent above
normal, according to Sulphur Springs
Independent School District Superin-
tendent Scott Ferguson.
A total of 16 percent of the 3,119 students
enrolled in the Sulphur Springs school
system were absent Friday.
“We re not too upset with the situation
yet," Ferguson said. "When the absentee
rale reaches the 22 to 23 percent level is *
when we have to start worrying." Severe
outbreaks of contagious disease can, when
certain infection levels are reached, result
in the closing of schools for a period of
time. .
Thieves take drugs
WINNSBORO — Three armed, masked
men entered the Winnsboro Memorial
Hospital at midnight Saturday, held three
nurses at bay and then robbed the drug
cabinet of its contents.
“They cleaned out our nominal supply of
drugs. They got a small quanity of
demoral (a depressant) and some in-
jectable stuff,” said Hospital Ad-
ministrator Ronald Hand. “They also got
a lot of stuff to cure diarrhea, constipation,
headaches, nausea and reduce their blood
pressure.”
According to Hand, three men came to
the hospitofunder the premise of needing
attention.
“One of them had a blood-soaked towel,
they banged on the door which was locked
and he had a gun under a towel,” Hand
said. He explained that the hospital keeps
only a small amount of drugs on hand due
to their not having a resident pharmacist.
“They disrupted about 10 or-11 patipnts
and the three nurses but thank the Lord,
nobody was hurt,” said Hand.
According to- Winnsboro Police Chief
Jerry Lile, the incident was reported to the
local department at 12:03 a.m. Sunday.
“They took a large quantity of narcotics
and told the nurses to lie on the floor for 30
minute's. The patients began to ring their
buzzers and the nurses gqt up, checked on
their patients ap^i then called us," he said.
Lile said that there had been no value
placed pn the drugs taken but Hand said
that the value would probably be “less
than $100.”
“They kept asking for Quaaludes. The
nurses tried to tell them that the items
they were taking wouldn’t help them, but
the men told the-nurses to put the contents
of the drug cabinet into the sack anyway,”
Hand said.
Chief Lile said that two other hospitals
had been robbed in similar manner and
that the possibility of the Winnsboro
robbery being c^nbcted is being checked.
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Newspaper.
Keys, Clarke & Woosley, Joe. The Hopkins County Echo (Sulphur Springs, Tex.), Vol. 104, No. 5, Ed. 1 Friday, February 2, 1979, newspaper, February 2, 1979; Sulphur Springs, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth779976/m1/1/?rotate=270: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Hopkins County Genealogical Society.